Carino Antequisa of Cafod and his wife Regina Antequisa of Ecoweb Inc, comrades of Oquendo, said her death  would not be totally wasted as this brutal incident would hasten the change they hope to bring to Maguindanao.”

“With all eyes and attention on Maguindanao right now, from local to international, we're hopeful that the much needed change in this violence-filled province could be realized in a faster pace, although may not be that easy considering the power and clout of the Ampatuan clan believed to be behind the gruesome act,” they said.

The MSUalumni.ning.com also posted on its front page Oquendo's photo as it condemned the mass murder.

The Global MSUans Network (GMN) also "joins in strongly demanding that the perpetrators and the masterminds be brought to justice and account for their barbaric and dastardly acts."

The network, with 10, 200 members, expressed their sympathies to the victims’ relativers “most specially our own Cynthia Oquendo" even as she wasn't able to finish her education at MSU.

"You will never be forgotten. You may be gone in this world, but your spirit will live forever in the eyes, hearts and minds of all peace-loving citizens. May you rest in eternal peace, safe in the knowledge that your death was not made in vain," the GMN said.

In this MSU alumni social network online, Cynthia's contemporary activists were discussing to visit her family in Polomolok, South Cotabato but security concerns have restricted them.

They, however, agreed to gather together this weekend to "commemorate Cynthia's life while at MSU and her contribution in working for justice in some areas of Mindanao" where she worked  first as public attorney before she decided to venture into private practice.

"Last time we talked on electoral politics, she said she had been declining suggestions for her to run in local politics. She joked she rather enjoy her newly-found equestrian skills with her high-breed horses, " said lawyer Charlo Paredes,  former teacher of history at MSU.

"It’s painful for us comrades to be rarely seeing each other, but much painful if we will not be able to see each other again," Glen Larot, a sociology graduate of MSU now working with an non-government, said, referring to Chinz’ demise.

Chinz, as called by her MSUan friends, was formerly one of the scholars of the College of Health and Sciences (CHS) in MSU.

While at MSU, she was the chair of the Justice and Peace Ministry of the Catholic Students Organization (CSO) and a strong women's rights advocate with then Circle of Women activists.

Her life centered on academics, church and activism.

She once joined a summer community immersion program in remote poor villages in Lanao del Sur which made her parents decide to transfer her to Cebu and continue her studies at San Carlos University. She took up Political Science and later Law at South Western University.
Oquendo died with her father, Francisco, who accompanied her in that convoy.

Paredes said Oqendo served the office of the public attorneys in Bukidnon before she ventured into private practice at Polomolok in South Cotabato after her father retired as municipal administrator of Polomolok and assisted her to put up her own law office.
"Sadly, our beloved Cynths was the collateral damage of traditional politics," he added.

Aside from being a pianist, Oquendo joined an all-lawyer band in their town.

Paredes said that Oquendo continued her advocacy for women's rights and health concerns which started in MSU.

Alumni of MSU-extension at General Santos city plan to stage an indignation rally on December 1, 2009 at the city plaza to condemn the violence that caused the death of Oquendo and other 56 victims.

Oquendo's burial is slated on Sunday, Parmisama said.
Oquendo's facebook, friendster and personal ning at MSU webpage is filled with tributes and lamentations.

In Cagayan de Oro, journalists, lawyers, and religious leaders lit candles as they condemned the incident in Maguindanao in an indignation rally done at the Press Freedom Monument around 4 p.m., Friday.

Their placards called for justice for all victims of the massacre.

In Iligan city, media workers made a two-page statement condemning the human rights violations.

Radio reporters of RMN also wore black arm bands. (Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

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